Urgently need sitter for two weeks in August but is that too long? No takers, should we split the weeks up?
(Link to listing removed by Forum team)
Hi @VKeville
Thanks for posting!
We had to remove your listing link from this post, but if you’d like to add your listing link to your profile for others to look at, there’s a handy how to guide here.
If you have any issues adding your profile link, the team would be happy to help!
Jenny
Two weeks is not too long - tons of sits for that and much longer! Many sitters want sits that are at least 2 weeks long.
It all depends on what and where. If you add your listing to your profile as Jenny suggested, you’ll get some feedback on what may be causing the slow response to your sit. Knowing how much competition you have helps (how many other sits in your area around those dates?) - Many factors go into why some listings get tons of applicants and some get few to none.
People can help you with more information provided.
No it’s definitely not too long, a lot of sitters would love 2 weeks plus.
Add your profile in the way the others mentioned, because you never know there may be someone on the forum looking in your area.
Also you can create a post asking for feedback on your profile, because that’s where some people go wrong, with very obvious mistakes.
Also, August isn’t very far away, if you are able, allow about 3 months next time and you’ll have a better chance of finding someone great, as most sitters will be booked up a few months in advance.
For me, the “won’t be applying” would be the stipulation that the dog can only be left up to 4 hours at a time.
Perhaps you can consider options: can the dog be left for a longer stretch? Can she travel in a car well? Are dogs welcomed in any local pubs/restaurants/upcoming events nearby?
Lovely location & welcoming looking sit. It may just be that there’s lots of competition right now. You could add a few things to do nearby; you could offer to collect someone from a bus or train station; could you offer use of a car?; could you make it family friendly as it’s school holidays? If you pause a d make a few tweaks it will also go back up as a new listing which could attract new applicants. Cricklade is a great village with brilliant pubs. Don’t split the sit up, 2 weeks would be great for a home from home holiday. #redlionrocks
ALWAYS with amazing helpful tips!
Thanks for helping the community.
It looks like a lovely sit. How long since you published it? I can only see the 4 hours maximum your dog can be left as the only negative, but to be honest, I wouldn’t panic - there is still enough time.
I will eat my 
if you don’t get any applications
As a sitter I’d be curious why one sitter left 4 stars but didn’t explain the reason. They suggest it had something to do with the dog’s behavior but that’s just a guess.
It could also be the number of sits available in the area this time of year. When there are a lot of sits, sitters can afford to be picky. I currently see 5 other sits in your area for those exact dates.
If you want feedback on the attractiveness of the listing; one thing I noticed in the photos is that there isn’t much space for the sitters things in the bathroom., for example. Every inch of space has stuff on it. For me, personally the amount of clutter on counters and shelves in general is a deterrent. The photo of the bedroom is not well lit and you can’t see the entire room.
The dog seems very sweet but as another has said, 4 hours max could limit your sitter pool.
Overall a pleasant looking sit. Some may be hesitant because the wifi is basic only. Also, are you able to tidy up and take some new snaps? Clear off the counters of the kitchen and bathroom, straighten or remove the tea towels on the oven handle, put away the sweaters hanging on the chair backs.
@VKeville My observations:
- Your photos seem to reflect honesty in being a busy family home. I commend you for that, but I agree that minimal space to put my stuff - kitchen counters & bathroom area - is off-putting for me.
- Your write-up shows two weeks and yet your date range shows one week. I agree with others that you should not shorten it to one week. However, if you’ve decided to, you should edit your description.
- You refer to it as family friendly with four bedrooms and yet you only list one king bed available. Hardly attractive for most families.
- Your Amenities does not include a smoke detector or fire alarm. I hope that’s just an oversight in the listing. Working alarms with good batteries is something I confirm before I even arrive.
- You mention you like to do cycle rides. Can you offer to lend bikes to the sitters?
- Mention where Winnie sleeps. For some sitters, on/in the bed or in the bedroom is a deal breaker.
I support all that @Snowbird has mentioned but will add a couple more observations.
- You ask for your house to be left clean and tidy but your photos don’t support that that is how you will leave your home for the sitters.
- I would definitely remove the photos with your children in them for privacy.
- You do have 2 good reviews that are current. The one with 4* is before owners were rated on categories so I assume the mention of your dog’s behaviour is the reason for the star deducted. Hopefully, your Labrador is more welcoming to strangers now and I see you invite your sitter to arrive the evening before as mentioned in one of the reviews which is a good thing for your Labrador.
Homeowner here. We live in a rural area of Hawaii, and our sits are usually three to four months long. We never have trouble finding sitters, probably due to the location. We are very clear in our listing about the rural character, and due to lack of good public transportation we offer the use of our car to our sitters. We are also clear up front that our dog is elderly and needs lots of attention, but she can stay home alone for up to six hours.
Thank you for all your helpful comments, I had two applications but one chap took another sitting, as he’d applied to a few and the other is flying in from Canada and dates don’t quite align, so still looking 
urgent now!!
The requirement for the sitter to be Experienced, as in the headline, rings alarm-bells with me. It suggests that the dog has behavioural issues. If she has, and if you want to keep the headline as it is, I think you should say what the issues are, so sitters can decide if they have the right level of experience. If she hasn’t any issues, maybe remove the “experienced” bit..
Just a thought.
As others have said, your home looks cluttered, not much space in bathroom or kitchen for sitters things.
personally the fish tank photo with skull feature in it is off putting, but I realise that is just my personal preference.